Heavy rains trigger flash floods in Himachal Pradesh

Heavy rain and snowfall hit several districts triggering flash floods in Himachal Pradesh on Monday with officials sounding a “high alert”. As water level increased in rivers and streams following incessant rain, a man and a girl were swept away in Kangra and Kullu districts. A man died after he was swept away in the swelling Nahad Khad (rivulet) in Kangra district. Efforts were on to trace the body, the officials said. In another incident, a 14-year-old girl was washed away in Kullu district.

Several roads in the state, especially in Kinnaur and Chamba districts, were blocked due to landslides, heavy rains and snowfall. Rohtang Pass received four feet of fresh snow on Sunday, and twenty people had to be rescued, officials informed. Several houses were also swept away in flash floods as the Beas is flowing at a dangerous level, officials said, cautioning people against going near rivers and nullahs for collecting wood, gravel etc.

In Chamba district, the Ravi river was flowing at the danger mark and people were evacuated from low-lying areas. Three people were washed away after they fell in Beas on Sunday night. Widespread rain and snowfall in higher altitudes brought down the mercury. The state will not have a respite from the bad weather as the weather office has forecast heavy rain and snowfall in the upper hills today.